Charlotte Mason thought so. One hundred plus years ago, this visionary educator saw the devastating effects of test-centered learning, the stultifying effects of a lack of child-driven free play, and the mind numbing effects of replacing whole books with multiple worksheets.

She believed the best education for children could only happen in the context of a balanced life of serious worthwhile study, delightful play, service to others, and family time with peaceful evenings.

The daily attainment of knowledge. Personal-integrated knowledge, so that a student can say: “Thirty minutes ago I did not know about this idea or this story. Now, I know it to such a degree that I can tell you about it.” This daily growth in knowledge includes a growing understanding of self and others.

The ultimate goal is transformation into an authentic and responsible human being, rooted in love and concerned for the well being of other persons and the created world. Such a student of life would be a truly caring individual or what Charlotte Mason called “a magnanimous person.”

A magnanimous person thinks great thoughts, but also is generous in over looking injury or insult – for example, he or she arises above pettiness or animosity. His intellectual pursuits do not make him ‘too good’ to do lowly chores (Andreola, A Charlotte Mason Companion, 277)

A magnanimous person is open, forgiving, non-pretentious, generous in self-giving, and, therefore, a pleasure to be with.

The short answer is —

At the heart of this method lies the cultivation of sound habits, as Charlotte Mason once observed:

If we fail to ease life by laying down habits of right thinking and right acting, habits of wrong thinking and wrong acting fix themselves of their own accord. (Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education, 101)

Therefore, at Plumfield, we seek to cultivate:

the spiritual habits of prayer, Scripture reading, love of nature, and reverence for life.

Plumfield Academy exists to support families. We believe parents are the first educators of their children. And if the goal of education is the magnanimous person, then it is abundantly clear that the school supports the home in the work of education, not the other way around.

Plumfield Academy exists for the children’s sake. Our approach to life fosters a simple, unhurried childhood. Children at Plumfield are not pushed into a premature adolescence, but are free to be who they truly are in order to develop their academic and relational gifts to the full. Therefore, Plumfield Academy is a good learning place for children who are happy to be children.